POPULAR SPORTS COMMITTEE.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2131, 22 December 1880, Page 3

POPULAR SPORTS COMMITTEE.

A meeting of the members of this committee was held on i lay at 4 p.m. Present—His Worship the Mayor, Messrs Warner, Haskins, Cogan, Drewitt, Crooks, Samuels, Andrews, Walkden, Hobbs, Hebden, and Professor Bickerton. The Mayor occupied the chair, A letter was read from Mr Alport, with respect to the contributions at the gate, and expressing his opinion that the time had come when the committee should apply to the Government for power to close the Park for two days. He furnished an approximate account showing that £227 5s 8d was at the credit of the committee. Further accounts to the amount of £llß lls 6d were presented, which were not stated in the approximate statement forwarded by Mr Alport. Accounts to the amount of £llß lls 6d were passed, subject to correction by the secretary. Mr Warner moved the following resolution :—" In the opinion of the popular sports committee it is advisable that steps should be taken to memorialise the Government to grant power to the Domain Board to close a small portion of the Park for not more than two days during tho progress of the anniversary sports, bo as to allow of a small charge being made by the sports committee for admission to the ground; for adults not more than sixpence per head, children free.” Mr Samuels seconded the motion. Mr Walkden suggested that a longer period than two days should be applied for. Let the committee apply for six days, as in case of such an occasion as the Kaitangata fete, they would require a place. Mr Andrews and Mr Hebden agreed with Mr Walkden. The latter gentleman wished to see the price fixed at 6d for adults and 3d for children between the ages of six and fourteen years. Professor Bickerton said that before holding the bog at the gates he had an idea that the sports should be free, but the exhibition of meanness he saw there had caused him to alter his opinion. He was of opinion that they should have more than two days, Mr Warner agreed to alter his resolution as proproposed by Mr Hebden. Mr Samuels suggested that the charge of 6d should be limited to children over ten years of age. Mr Hebden’s proposition was carried, as also an alteration of the number of days to not more than sic during tho year, nor more than two at one time. A sub-committee, comprising the Mayor, Messrs Warner, Andrews, Bickerton, Cogan, Bishop, Walkden, and Hebden, was appointed to consider the details of the above, and to call the general committee together to consider tho question of monthly gatherings. A letter was read from Mr Bowley protesting against two competitors in the Two Mile Walking Pace—viz., Wilson and Eountree. The committee declined to entertain the protest against Wilson, as the referees had disqualified Wilson. As regarded Bountree, which was for having water thrown on him, the committee declined to entertain the as it was proved that the competitor did not request the attendant to throw water on him. Mr Hebden brought under the notice of th* committee the reprehensible conduct of Wilson in using bad language towards the referee, and moved—“ That a letter be sent to Wilson informing him that the committee reprehend very strongly his objectionable language to tho referee, and that if he repeats his offence the committee

will consider his disqualification for one_ or two years.” Mr Oogan seconded the motion, which was carried. A protest was entered by Montgomery against McMillan for foul running in the Mile Race Handicap, which was sustained. A rule was passed for embodiment in next year’s programme disqualifying any one found guilty of foul running. It was resolved—“ That tha boys in the race under fourteen years winning prizes should prove their ages before receiving the prizes.” The winner of the Mayor’s Cup, W. AUardyee, was protested against as being over age, and told he had to bring proof of age. Several other protest, were dealt with, and the committee then adjourned.